Tag: influencer marketing

From the Archives revisits the Ellen Digital Network as a pioneering example of a creator-first broadcast model long before the TikTok and YouTube Shorts era. Ellen DeGeneres turned viral daytime TV clips into a full-fledged digital media network that blended…

The Interactive Advertising Bureau projects U.S. creator economy ad spend to hit $37 billion in 2025, up 26% year-over-year, signaling continued growth despite a slight deceleration. Nearly half of ad buyers now consider creators a "must buy," surpassing traditional media…

PrestonPlayz has partnered with Studio71 to handle advertising sales across his TBNR creator network. With over 90 million social followers and a strong YouTube presence, Preston is positioning his family-friendly gaming content for premium brand partnerships and broader monetization. Studio71…

Digiday breaks down how the creator economy is expected to grow in 2026, with U.S. ad spend projected to hit $43.9 billion, an 18% increase year over year. Major gains are coming from paid amplification, both on and off social…

Ask Skip challenges the assumption that creators are here to save streaming, arguing instead that they’re reshaping it. As platforms scramble to integrate creator-driven content, they overlook the fact that creators aren’t content providers, they’re business models with built-in audiences.…

Kirby takes a sharp look at how identity, not platforms, now drives media distribution. Creators are the new infrastructure, AI controls discovery and churn, and characters outperform brands in algorithmic environments. Legacy players are pivoting, through partnerships, consolidation, and experiential…

Creator advertising is exploding, with IAB projecting $37 billion in spend for 2025, a 26% increase from last year. Brands are shifting dollars toward mid-tier creators because they deliver consistent engagement and drive reliable performance at scale, far outpacing traditional…

Ask Skip lays out a no-BS roadmap for companies rushing to build a “creator strategy” without understanding what creators actually do. Creators aren’t just content producers, they’re businesses with their own audiences and leverage. To engage them, organizations need clear…

MrBeast has partnered with Flywheel, a new venture from ex-Yoola CEO Eyal Baumel, to build creator-led franchises through products, content distribution, and IP licensing. Flywheel is already managing MrBeast’s expansion in China—where he's amassed 17M+ followers—and is working with creators…

YouTube has introduced Open Call, a new BrandConnect feature that allows advertisers to post campaign briefs and source custom video pitches from eligible creators in the YouTube Partner Program. The feature aims to simplify large-scale brand-creator collaborations and is currently…